5 Ways to Fix the Video Not Playing Issue in VLC Player: Are you frustrated because VLC Media Player suddenly stopped playing videos? Many users face this issue. VLC can play almost any media format, including MP4, MOV, and many others. So, when it stops working properly, it can be quite annoying. But don't worry anymore. We have the solution.
In this guide, we will explore 5 effective solutions to help you resolve the video not playing issue in VLC Media Player. For operating systems Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11 and macOS 10.10 or later.
Here are some common reasons why VLC Media Player may not display video:
- The video file you are trying to play may be corrupted or damaged.
- Using an outdated version of VLC Media Player can lead to compatibility issues with certain video formats.
- Enabling hardware acceleration can sometimes cause video playback issues, especially on older devices.
- Missing or incompatible codecs can prevent VLC from displaying the video correctly.
- Your VLC video output settings may be incorrect, leading to a black screen.
- Outdated or faulty display drivers can interfere with video playback.
- Other applications running in the background may conflict with VLC's ability to display video.
5 Ways to Fix the Video Not Playing Issue in VLC
As mentioned, there are various reasons why VLC may not display video. But the good news is that you can use the following methods to fix the issue. Let's get started.
Method 1: Enable the Automatic Repair Feature
VLC Media Player can automatically fix minor video issues. When VLC detects a problem during playback, it automatically prompts the user to repair the file, allowing for smooth video playback without the need for additional software. This feature mainly works with AVI video files and may not assist with other formats.
To enable this feature:
Open VLC Media Player.
Click on Tools in the menu bar and select Preferences.
In the Preferences window, go to Input/Codecs.
Under Damaged or Incomplete AVI file, select Always Repair.
If the video still doesn't play, try other solutions.
Method 2: Set the Video Output Mode
Adjusting the video output mode in VLC can resolve playback issues by changing how VLC handles video display. Options like DirectX or OpenGL can enhance compatibility and performance.
To configure the video output mode:
Open VLC Media Player and go to Tools > Preferences.
Click on the Video tab.
Select an option from the Output dropdown menu (e.g., OpenGL, DirectX, or Automatic). Click Save.
Try playing the video again to see if the issue is resolved.
Method 3: Disable Hardware Acceleration in VLC
Hardware acceleration uses the computer's GPU to decode and encode video to reduce CPU usage and improve playback. However, this can cause issues with older hardware.
To disable hardware acceleration:
Open VLC Media Player and go to Tools > Preferences.
Click on the Input/Codecs tab.
Find Hardware-accelerated decoding and set it to Disable.
Click Save and restart VLC.
Method 4: Change Audio and Video Settings
Missing components can cause video playback issues in VLC. Adjusting the audio and video settings may help.
To fix this:
Open VLC Media Player and go to Preferences.
Ensure that audio and video components are enabled.
For synchronization issues, go to Tools > Effects and Filters > Synchronization. Adjust the Audio track synchronization value as needed (positive values delay the audio, negative values speed it up).
Method 5: Use a Third-Party Repair Tool
If other methods fail and the video is likely corrupted, an external repair tool like Repairit can help. These programs fix missing audio and other video errors to restore smooth playback.
Key features of Repairit:
- Repairs videos with no sound, synchronization issues, and playback errors.
- Supports HD, 4K, and 8K videos, handling formats like MOV, MP4, and WMV.
- Repairs videos corrupted due to compression, system crashes, or format changes from devices like SD cards and USB drives.
- Offers quick and advanced scan modes with no limits on the number or size of files.
- Compatible with both Windows and macOS.
Steps to repair videos using Repairit:
- Open Repairit Video Repair and click Add to import the corrupted videos.
- Click Repair to start fixing the files.
- If the damage is severe, use the advanced repair by adding a sample video from the same device.
- Preview the repaired video, then click Save or Save All to store it in a different location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why does VLC show a black screen when playing videos?
A1: This may occur due to incorrect video output settings, hardware acceleration issues, or outdated display drivers. Try adjusting the video output mode or disabling hardware acceleration.
Q2: How can I fix corrupted video files in VLC?
A2: Enable the automatic repair feature in VLC under Input/Codecs for AVI files, or use a third-party program like Repairit for comprehensive repairs.
Q3: Why does VLC stop working after an update?
A3: Compatibility issues with certain video formats may arise after an update. Try using an older version of VLC or changing the output settings to resolve the issue.
Q4: Can VLC play any video format?
A4: VLC supports almost all video and audio formats, but it may encounter issues with severely corrupted or rare file types.
Q5: What should I do if adjusting VLC settings doesn't work?
A5: If standard fixes don't work, consider updating display drivers or using an external repair tool like Repairit to fix severe video damage.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed 5 ways to fix the video not playing issue in VLC Media Player. Dealing with the video not displaying in VLC can be frustrating. However, there are many effective solutions you can try. Start by enabling the automatic repair feature in VLC or adjusting the video output settings to address common playback issues. If these solutions do not resolve the problem, consider disabling hardware acceleration or modifying the audio and video settings.
